A criminal investigation has been launched after a needle was found in a punnet of New Zealand strawberries in Canterbury.

Police received reports on Saturday night of a needle in strawberries bought at Fresh Choice in Geraldine.

The Ministry of Primary Industries has today confirmed the strawberries were grown in new Zealand.

MPI says although it's believed to be an isolated event, the store has removed the berries from its shelves as a precautionary measure.

The person who found the needle was uninjured.